God of Pain

21.Alec

I waited a few moments before knocking on the balcony door, making sure my presence was known but keeping my emotions in check. Tara's smile when she opened the door nearly made my heart skip a beat. She looked so carefree, so full of life. It was a stark contrast to the rage I'd felt only moments before.

"Alec!" she exclaimed, pulling me inside with a burst of energy. Her smile was bright, almost radiant, and she dragged me into her room with a cheerful enthusiasm that made my chest ache. I could tell she was trying to push away whatever had happened earlier, and I admired her strength.

"Look what I've got for you," I said, holding up the Raspberry cheesecake that my mom had made. The sight of it seemed to spark something in Tara, and she immediately started munching on it with delight.

"Oh my God, Alec," she said between bites. "This is amazing! Your mom is a magician with cheesecakes. If I could, I'd just marry her and eat this all day."

I chuckled, trying to keep the conversation light, but inside, I was a whirlwind of emotions. Watching Tara enjoy the cheesecake so blissfully, with that wide grin on her face, was a bittersweet moment. It made me appreciate how she always found a way to bring light into even the darkest of situations.

"You know," I said, my voice fond but edged with a darker undercurrent, "I'd happily share my mom's cheesecakes with you anytime. But if it means you're always this happy, I might just have to keep her all to myself."

Tara laughed, her eyes sparkling with genuine amusement. I smiled back, but my thoughts were anything but light. Inside, I was a storm of protective, possessive thoughts. Seeing her so happy despite the pain I knew she carried made me fiercely determined to be the shield she needed.

She was so precious, so incredibly precious, hiding her pain behind a brave face. She didn't want to break her family, didn't want to show how much it hurt, and that made me want to protect her even more. I would be the one to bear the weight of her suffering if it meant she wouldn't have to. I'd make sure she was shielded from any more pain, even if she couldn't or wouldn't protect herself.

If anyone dared to hurt her again, they'd have to go through me first. I'd fix her when she broke, because she was mine to protect, mine to cherish. I'd see to it that no harm came to her, even if it meant confronting her demons and battling them head-on.

Tara's laughter and light-hearted comments made my heart ache with a fierce love. I wanted to keep her safe, to keep her happy, even if it meant bearing the brunt of her pain and struggles. I'd make sure she knew she could rely on me, that she didn't have to face the world alone.

As she continued to enjoy the cheesecake, I watched her with a mixture of adoration and determination. No matter what it took, I would be there for her. I would protect her from the shadows of her past, and I would make sure she never had to face them alone again.

..................................................................................................

I leapt through Lucian's study window with a practiced ease, landing lightly on my feet. The moment I touched down, I was greeted by the cold, unyielding barrel of a gun. Lucian's eyes were steely, and his glare could have cut through steel.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Lucian demanded, his voice icy. "How did you get in here?"

I smirked, raising an eyebrow as I regarded the gun pointed directly at me. "You might want to lower that, Lucian. I've been slipping in and out of your mansion through Tara's balcony for the past six months. Seems you've been outfoxed by your own sister's boyfriend."

Lucian's eyes narrowed further, and I could almost see the steam coming out of his ears. "Bloody rat," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head as if to clear the irritation. "Why are you really here?"

I took a step closer, my demeanor shifting from playful to serious. "I've seen something I think you need to know about. I was at Tara's place earlier today and witnessed a pretty unsettling scene. Her father was in her room, choking her and yelling at her before storming out. It wasn't pretty."

Lucian's expression darkened, his grip on the gun tightening as he absorbed the information. "Why the hell didn't you tell me sooner?" he growled, lowering the weapon but still looking furious.

I retrieved my phone from my pocket, holding it out towards Lucian. "I recorded part of what happened. I thought you should see it yourself."

Lucian's gaze was fixed on the screen as he played the video. Tara's father was clearly visible, his face contorted with anger as he choked Tara. Her cries for help were gut-wrenching. Lucian's face turned a deep shade of red, a mix of rage and helplessness flickering across his features.

The video ended, and Lucian's hands were trembling as he shut off the playback. His eyes were blazing, his breathing ragged. "I should have known," he muttered, almost to himself. "I should have been more vigilant. This is my fault."

I watched him closely, noting the storm of emotions battling within him. His hands clenched into fists, knuckles white as he tried to contain his fury. His usually composed demeanor was shattered, replaced by a raw, seething anger.

"I also have a suspicion," I continued, trying to remain steady despite the intensity of the moment. "The photos of Tara's mother—something tells me it was her father who sent them. It's like he's trying to break her."

Lucian's eyes widened in disbelief, his face contorting with pain. "No," he said, shaking his head vigorously. "No, that can't be right. I failed to protect her. I should have been there for her, kept a closer watch."

His voice was strained, laced with self-loathing. "All this time, I thought I was doing enough. I thought I could shield her from the worst. And now... now it seems I've let it all slip through my fingers. My own sister..."

He paced back and forth, his mind clearly racing. "I promised myself I'd be her protector. I promised to myself I'd keep Tara safe. And now look—she's being hurt, and I wasn't there. I should have seen the signs, should have realized something was wrong."

Lucian stopped pacing, his face buried in his hands for a moment before he looked up, his eyes filled with a fierce determination. "I won't let this stand. I'll make my father pay. No one hurts my sister and gets away with it."

I chuckled without humour "What makes you think I haven't taken care of it already?"

Lucian pulled me by my jacket," How dare you? He might be my dad, but he hurt my sister, I should have killed him, not you"

I just laughed and pulled away from his grip," Well I thought you would say this and saved him for a little experience between us. I thought you might enjoy torturing him"

Lucian smiled showing all his teeth, a cruel blood thirsty smile," Oh I definitely will"